Starting in April 2026, millions of pensioners and people who get benefits will get more money. This is because the annual uprating for 2026/27 will include big increases in Universal Credit, disability benefits, and working-age support payments.
Most benefits have gone up by 3.8%, which is in line with inflation. This makes sure that payments better reflect the rising cost of living.
The government’s Triple Lock guarantee protects the State Pension increase for 2026/27. This means that the pension will go up by the highest of inflation, average earnings growth, or 2.5%. This means a 4.8% rise for 2026/27.
The Department for Work and Pensions has sent out its 2026/27 updates on payment rates for all major UK benefits to everyone who is a pensioner, carer, disabled claimant, jobseeker, parent, or someone who can’t work because they are sick.
Benefits for People with Disabilities in 2026/27
If you need help with care or getting around, disability benefits can give you extra money. A lot of these payments are tax-free and don’t depend on how much money you have or how much you save.
Allowances for attendance
For people who are over the age of 65 and need help with personal care.
Rates for 2026/27:
- Lower rate: £76.70 a week
- Higher rate: £114.60 a week
Important Features:
- Not based on income
- No taxes
- No part for mobility
- Can raise Pension Credit and Housing Benefit
- Could let a caregiver get Carer’s Allowance
This is worth almost £6,000 a year at the higher rate.
PIP, or Personal Independence Payment
For people who are of working age and have long-term health problems or disabilities.
Daily Living Part (2026/27):
- Standard: £76.70
- Improved: £114.60
Mobility Part:
- Standard: £30.30
- More: £80.00
PIP is not based on income and can greatly raise the amount of Universal Credit or Housing Benefit you get.
DLA, or Disability Living Allowance
PIP is replacing it for adults, but some children still get it.
Care Part:
- Lowest: £30.30
- Middle: £76.70
- Most: £114.60
Part of Mobility:
- Lower: £30.30
- More: £80.00
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
For people who can’t work because they are sick or disabled. A lot of people have now moved to Universal Credit through a process called “managed migration.”
New Style ESA (2026/27) and Contributory ESA:
- Under 25: £75.65
- 25 or older: £95.55
More Parts:
- £37.95 for work-related activities
- Support part: £50.35
Income-Related ESA (rates for 2026/27):
- Single and 25 or older: £97.75
- Couple (both over 18): £153.61
Costs:
- £22.00 for enhanced disability
- £86.05 for severe disability (single)
- Caregiver premium: £48.15
Monthly Rates for Universal Credit 2026/27
Universal Credit (UC) replaces six old benefits and helps families with working-age adults.
Standard Allowance (2026/27):
- Single person under 25: £338.58
- £424.90 for a single person 25 or older
- Couple (one or both 25+): £666.97
Child Elements:
- First child (before April 2017): £351.88
- For each child after the first, £303.94
Addition for disabled children:
- Lower rate: £164.79
- Higher rate: £514.71
Part for caregivers:
- £209.34
Help with Childcare:
- One child: £1,071.09
- Two or more: £1,836.16
Allowances for Work:
- More: £710
- Less: £427
Rules for Capital:
- Maximum: £16,000
- £6,000 not counted; £4.35 assumed income for every £250 over the limit
Benefits for people over the age of 65
State Pension for 2026 and 2027
New State Pension (full amount): £241.30 a week
The Old Basic State Pension: £184.90 a week
Most pension payments went up by 4.8% for the years 2026 and 2027.
Pension Credit for 2026/27
Credit for a Pension
Makes sure a minimum amount of money is made each week.
Minimum Guarantee:
- One: £238.00
- For a couple: £363.25
Extra amounts:
- £86.05 for severe disability (single)
- Extra for the carer: £48.15
Credit for Savings:
- Maximum single: £17.96
- Maximum couple: £20.10
There is no upper limit on capital, but there is a tariff income limit of £10,000.
Pension Credit can open up:
- Free dental care from the NHS and a lower council tax rate
- Payments for Cold Weather
- Free TV license for people 75 and older
Steve Webb, a former Pensions Minister who is now a partner at pension consulting firm LCP, said, “With the cost of living still high and bills like Council Tax going up, these annual increases are very important to protect pensioners’ living standards from inflation.”
Suggested reading:
- HMRC is telling parents to claim Child Benefit of £1300 after the rules changed.
- Millions of people are worried that they will never be able to retire because the state pension age is going up. Here are the new rules for eBay and Vinted sellers from HMRC.
Help with housing in 2026/27
Help with Housing
Now mostly for people who are retired and some people who get housing benefits. This has been frozen once more.
Personal Allowances for 2026/27:
- Single 25+: £95.55
- Couple (18+): £150.15
Costs:
- Family: £20.22
- £44.85 for a single disability
- Severe disability (single): £86.05
- £48.15 for carer premium
Most people who get Universal Credit and are of working age have their housing costs covered.
Carer Support 2026/27: Carer’s Allowance
Rate per week: £86.45
Must:
- Give care for more than 35 hours a week
- Make no more than £204 a week
Can also cause extra payments from Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Income Support 2026/27:
For people under 25: £75.65 For people 25 and older: £95.55
Based on income:
- Single 25+: £95.55
- Couple (18 and up): £150.15
Support for people with low incomes
- Single 25+: £95.55
- Couple 18 and up: £150.15
- Child who needs help: £87.88
Premiums are the same as ESA and JSA disability rates.
Standard Bereavement Support Payment for 2026/27:
- £2,500 in one payment
- Every month: £100
More:
- Total: £3,500
- Every month: £350
Widowed Parent’s Allowance (legacy): £156.65 a week.
Payments Required by Law for 2026/27
Statutory Sick Pay: £123.25 a week
Statutory Maternity Pay: £194.32 a week
Also, £194.32 for:
- Statutory Pay for Newborns
- Statutory Pay for Shared Parenting
- Statutory Pay for Adoption
- Statutory Pay for Paternity
Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Industrial Injuries Benefits for 2026/27
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: £233.90 for a 100% disablement rate
Constant Attendance Allowance:
- £187.20 for exceptional
- Intermediate: £140.40
- Normal maximum: £93.60
- Part-time: £46.80
Supplement for being unable to work: £144.65
Maximum life benefit: £15,520
Cap on Benefits for 2026/27
London:
- Couples or single people with a child: £25,323 a year
- For one adult: £16,967
The rest of Great Britain:
- Couples or single people with a child: £22,020
- Adult alone: £14,753
Some people who file for disability are not eligible.
Limits on Capital Across Benefits
Universal Credit and Benefits for People of Working Age:
- Maximum: £16,000
- Don’t care: £6,000
Pension Credit:
- No limit on top
- First £10,000 not counted; £1 for every £500 over the limit
